Seasonal evaluation of Shatavarin-IV by HPLC for the best procurement time of Asparagus racemosus Willd. tubers and pharmacognostical studies

BACKGROUND: The root tubers of Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Shatavari) are a well-known Ayurvedic medicine. In this present study, it is aimed to assess the Shatavarin-IV content in root tubers of Asparagus racemosus Willd. collected from the same habitat for the evaluation of seasonal variation and to explore the best procurement time. METHODS: Shatavari ( A. racemosus Willd.) root was collected from the same habitat in all six seasons, i.e., Shishir (Jan–Feb) to Hemant (Nov–Dec). The source of the collected plant material authenticated taxonomically at Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Jhansi, India. Identification and comparative macroscopy along with powder microscopy of the root of the plant in each season were carried out. The extraction of root was carried out in various solvents such as alcohol, hydroalcohol, and methanol though Soxhlet, and its assessment of secondary metabolite content through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using refractive index detector (RID) for the sample collected in all six seasons was carried out at the Captain Srinivasa Murthy Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CSMCARI), Chennai, India. RESULTS: No remarkable difference has been noted in microscopical features of root tubers, but in the powder microscopy of Sharad ritu samples, it was observed that raphides are more peculiar (in abundance) in parenchymatous cortex and vessels are abundant when compared with all other five seasons. Shatavarin-IV was quantified in each season by HPLC using RID. Soxhlet extractive value was found to be maximum in methanol, i.e., 3.5922 g (71.91% w/w) in Varsha ritu sample. A comparative higher quantity of Shatavarin-IV is also observed more (0.0196%) in Varsha ritu sample. CONCLUSION: A large quantity of extractive values, bioactive secondary metabolites, and Shatavarin-IV is observed in Varsha ritu sample and tubers of A. racemosus . Thus, it can be recommended that the suitable procurement time for collection of Shatavari ( A. racemosus ) root is Varsha ritu (Jul–Aug).